Meucci, more than an
inventor, a discoverer

October 18th
is the anniversary of the death of Antonio Meucci, 113 years
ago. On that date, due to his death, all of the controversy,
the claims and the expectations to obtain due credit for his
invention of the telephone were terminated. It was said that
the lawyers were the only true winners.

Today we ask
ourselves: was justice done? Can history be changed by
unveiling a new truth? Who was Meucci – a stage technician, a
patriot, an emigrant, an inventor or a discoverer?

Over the last four
years historic and scientific information has been found to
support Meucci’s work as an inventor. The numerous Bell
Company court cases in the 1880’s facilitated the compilation
and storage of detailed records that were archived and are
currently kept in the “vaults of justice”.

It is not for us to
elaborate on the research done by Dr. B. Catania, a
professional engineer, on Antonio Meucci. Dr. Catania’s work
positions Meucci’s achievements to a time some 25 years before
Alexander G. Bell patented his “telephone”. Dr. B. Catania,
personally, and Ms. E. Gear of the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
will cover the topics on Meucci’s life and work.

Filled with a
scientific passion to understand the events of the past, we
find ourselves on a path towards truth (*) – the truth is
out there and we need to find it.

Over the
last four years historic and scientific information has been
found to support Meucci's work as an inventor. The numerous
Bell Company court cases in the 1880s facilitated the
compilation and storage of detailed records that were archived
and are currently kept in the vaults of justice.

It is not
for us to elaborate on the research done by Dr. B. Catania, a
professional engineer, on Antonio Meucci. Dr. Catania's work
positions Meucci's achievements to a time some 25 years before
Alexander G. Bell patented his telephone. Dr. B. Catania,
personally, and Ms. E. Gear of the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
will cover the topics on Meucci's life and work.

Filled with
a scientific passion to understand the events of the past, we
find ourselves on a path towards truth (*) the truth is out
there and we need to find it.

As in many similar situations, of greater
or lesser importance, it is the sum of the research, the
documentation and an objective motivation that can bring
historical data to be revisited. History is life, and as life
evolves, so can history evolve with knowledge – the solar
system now has 10 planets, Jupiter has several more moons and,
yes, telephony has a discoverer: Antonio Meucci.

Recent events in the
United States and in Canada have moved the research and the
discussions to a new level, where public recognition of
Antonio Meucci needs to be strengthened by historical and
scientific facts supporting this new truth.

In an objective and
scientific manner and as a community initiative, Consulta Meta
I.M. inc. is promoting the creation of a not-for-profit center
to support the evangelization of Antonio Meucci’s discovery
and inventions. Already, interested people from across Canada
have accepted to share information and do further research.
Individuals, in the past as in the present, share in Meucci’s
lifetime events. They join in a common voice, those who have
experienced overpowering relationships resulting in the loss
of their genuine, ongoing vision.

Today, we
incorporate the “Antonio Meucci Centre”. It will be a living
example of solidarity in search of objective and scientific
truth.

Franco
Gucciardo

2002-10-18

(*) truthnoun[C]A truth is a fact or principle which is
thought to be true until proven contrary.

Leaders in their
roles

Late Sunday evening,
October 20th, the exhibit Antonio Meucci: Discoverer
of Telephony ended.

Following the Media
conference, held the morning of Friday, October 18th, the
doors of the Casa d'Italia were opened for the weekend to receive
visitors. Over 300 people, from 8 years of age to a few well into
their 80s, had a chance to be captivated by Meucci's life and his
genius. Some returned the next day bringing with them others with
whom to share in the new, and, for some, not so new, information. It
was an exiting time, filled with questions, doubts and wonderment.
The static display, the computer presentation, the dynamic display of
the telettrofono models and the narration provided interaction with
the legacy left by Antonio Meucci. Throughout the event, there was
great feedback from people, francophone, Anglophone and, of course,
Italophone.

Friday morning was the
Medias turn to ask questions and get answers. Franco Gucciardo
provided the initial information release entitled Meucci, more than
an inventor, a discoverer. Then, the question and answer session
was linked to Dr. Basilio Catania, Eng., from Turin, who is the soul
of the current research on Meucci.

Friday afternoon was
calm at the Casa d'Italia until other activities brought the Minister
of International Trade, Pierre Pettigrew, to the Meucci exhibit.
Saturday, Quebec teachers, tourists, individuals and groups who heard
or read the information on Antonio Meucci dropped by. Sunday, the
general public came to the exhibit in greater numbers. Considering
the interest shown by the visitors and their comments, thought will be
given to making the exhibit Mobile like the telephone, thus making it
possible to bring the information into the communities.

October 18th
was also the occasion to inaugurate the Antonio Meucci Centre,
a not-for-profit organization with roots across Canada, focusing on
the life of Antonio Meucci, which encourages research for truth and
endorses dissemination of related, supporting information.

Bill Brownstein of the
Montreal Gazette expressed it well in his column of October 19th
it is the beginning of a new era: the era of Truth.

With the abundance of
information available today, the truth is out there and it will be
found.